Say Hello to our latest arrival at the park - A Baby Siamang

The new baby Siamang Gibbon was born at the beginning of August to proud mother Kaya and father Clyde. They now make up a family of 6 Siamang Gibbons in the parkwhich also includes Rocky who was born in 2005, Lisa who was born in 2003 and bart who was born in 2007. At this stage we dont have a name for the baby as we do not know the sex.

The siamang gibbon is the largest of the 14 species of gibbon, weighing up to 14kg. A special throat sac enhances the siamang's call, helping to make it the loudest of the gibbons. Their call may be heard for up to two miles away across the forest canopy. The siamangs are native to Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula and their homerange overlaps with both lar and agile gibbons. Siamangs can share territory with other gibbons because they are largely leaf eaters and do not compete for much of the forest fruits. They are very acrobatic and agile. Their extra-long arms help them cover up to 10 feet (3 meters) in a single swing. If they're not swinging through the trees, they're very likely walking along branches with their arms outstretched to help them keep their balance.

The Siamang Gibbons can be found on the monkey Islands at Fota Wildlife Park near palm walk. They are well known for their Calls especially in the morning which are usually directed at their neighbours (the White Faced Saki & Lion Tailed Macaque). However they are also known to start the calling when a large group of people gather across from their island.

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The Ruffed Lemur feeds on nectar by sticking its long nose deep into the flower. The Lemur’s snout becomes coated with pollen, which is then transported to other flowers – making the animal an important pollinator. There are also three subspecies of Black and White Lemur.

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Fota Wildlife Park, a project of the Zoological Society of Ireland, is a company limited by guarantee not having a share capital and has a charitable status.The registered office of the company is located at Fota Wildlife Park, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork | Company Registration in Ireland No. 96949